In addition to editing, which I was involved in only so far as identifying topics/authors and requesting submissions (the professionals from Alliance and Foundation Center did the real work of editing), I also imagined a future for philanthropy in which data are a starting place, not an afterthought. I called it Data-first Philanthropy and it's included in the special section of the Magazine. (pdf) (Thank you Alliance, for making the pdf available)

2 comments:

If you had asked any of us as little as five years ago whether there would ever be interest in an entire magazine devoted to the topic of data in philanthropy the answer would most likely have been "no." But here we are in an era where philanthropy is waking up to the potential of its own data and the much broader world of Big Data. Thanks to editors of Alliance for their vision, hard work and gentle but persistent "nudging" of Lucy and the Foundation Center to make this issue a reality.

Brad You are SO right about how far we are from 5 years ago. That said, as I know you also believe, we are at the BEGINNING of what can be done. Makes it all the more fun!

I've been a long time fan and persistent provoker of the Foundation Center - working with your colleagues on this issue was an honor and a delight! I will continue on as a "never satisfied, critical, fan, user, supporter" of The Foundation Center

About me

Why is this blog called Philanthropy 2173?

This is a blog about the future. The year 2173 seems sufficiently far enough in the future to give us some perspective. As sure as we are of ourselves now, talking about the future - and making philanthropic investments - requires that we keep a sense of modesty and humor about what we are doing. Philanthropy is for the long-term - for the year 2173.